Psychic & Health Fair in Champaign Urbana on January 24, 2009

Saturday, January 24, 2009

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Psychic & Health Fair

Location: Beads N Botanicals,

117 North Broadway, Urbana. IL 61801

Come and Join Us!

Psychics, Tarot Readers, Reiki, Reflexology and more.

$20 per session. Register at the door.

For more information call 217-365-9355

VICTORY IS MINE!

Finally! I have defeated the offending Virtumonde (a.k.a. Vundo) virus. All it took in the end was the removal of my old Java software, the installation of the latest Java software, and a thorough sweep of my hard drive with Spyware Doctor. Now that I can work without my computer lagging and without a dozen pop ups continuing to pop up every few seconds, I am ready to get back to work on the Vault!

But first... I am going to go see "The Spirit" with some of my friends. Though it has gotten panned by critics fairly extensively, I am still game to see this flick. I mean, c'mon, how bad can it be? It has to better than "Twilight" right? ..... it has to be.....

Anyway, Happy New Year b-movie fans! Stay tuned for some updates to the site!

Merry Belated Christmas; sorry for lack of updates.

First off, MERRY CHRISTMAS (only a few days late, but it's the thought that counts)!

Secondly, I have been battling a pesky virus (Virtumonde and some of its kin to be exact) since Monday and despite my best efforts, the bastard is still running rampant on my computer. Thankfully, due to the use of two anti-virus programs and multiple spyware and malware removers, I have got this b*tch on the ropes, but I still can't seem to fully wipe it out. It's like Darkman: You think you kill him, then he pops up somewhere else! ARGH!!!

This battle has been going on for days, and I'm running out of programs to utilize. Currently, this digital pest is only being annoying and throwing pop ups around on the screen, and hopefully, I'll have it copmletely vanquished soon, so that I can once again enjoy surfing the web and working on the Vault.

Wish me luck, pray for some new updates to the site, and have a wonderful New Year!

Bogart's closes its doors - News

Bogart's closes its doors - News

I was surfing the web and found this old news article at the Daily Illini. Thought it was interesting because many people say we're about as close as it gets to the old Bogart's. Although we do NOT offer piercing services, Beads N Botanicals does offer body jewelry, as well as more than a couple of hundred types of hand-dipped incense that we make right in Urbana, handblended oils, handmade candles, jewelry, crystals and more.

New "My Bloody Valentine 3-D" TV Spot. This movie is gonna ROCK!

I am a fan of the original 1981 "My Bloody Valentine" (read my review of it here) and I was stoked when I heard of the remake. I've been following the news on it and here's what I've been hearing: The movie is gory as hell, fun as hell, and really pushes its R-rating! On top of that, the original 1981 classic is coming out UNCUT on DVD courtesy of Lionsgate (here's a sincere "f*ck you" to Paramount for chopping up this oft-forgotten slasher classic nearly three decades ago), so I am totally freakin' excited for mid-January.

Then I saw the new TV Spot and I lost all control! Check it out for yourself and tell me that this movie does not look like its going to be a blast. I dare you!



"My Bloody Valentine 3-D" hits theaters on January 16th (mainly because the powerhouse that is "Friday the 13th" comes out next February and would most surely crush this fellow slasher remake); the Special Edition DVD of the original hits stores January 13th. I can't wait!

"The Bum" reviews "The Day the Earth Stood Still."

I'm really loving this stuff; I particularly enjoy how this guy slams the movie while seeming to be so enthusiastically smitten with it. It's pure gold. Oh and keep an eye out for a bunch of nods to "Bill and Ted."

I am closer to posting the December Genre Watch (which is really really late I know). Expect to see it at the Vault this weekend.

Oh and in case you weren't counting down the days: 7 shopping days left to Christmas Armageddon!

Chester A. Bum reviews "Twilight."

Hilarious stuff from ThatGuyWithTheGlasses.com:


Visit the site and be sure to check out all the other stuff, especially the "Nostalgia Critic" (I remember it, so you don't have to.). Also swing by Cinemassacre.com and check out all the cool videos there, in particular, the Angry Video Game Nerd series. Good stuff!

New Genre Watch coming soon!

Just wanted to pop in and announce that the December issue of Genre Watch is on its way. A little late I know, but that couldn't be helped; I've been preoccupied with decorating, buying gifts, and all the usual junk that occurs around this time of year (plus I just picked up "Fallout 3" the other day and have pumped a good seven or eight hours into it). But fear not, for I have plenty of new content in the works and will work hard to get it posted on the site before Christmas.

Look for the December issue of the BMFV Genre Watch later this week.

And just a reminder: There are only SEVEN shopping days left until Christmas. If you haven't started yet, you may want to. For your own safety, may I suggest shopping online? Avoid the lines, arguments, and fistfights by shopping at online merchants like AMAZON.COM (cough, cough)!

Good luck with your holiday preparations b-movie fans. I'll blog ya later!

New capsule review for "Twilight" (2008) is up at the Vault!

Yeah yeah, I saw this freakin' movie, so sue me. My girlfriend dragged me to the theater (quite literally) and I had very low expectations. That is probably why I didn't completely hate (or love) "Twilight." The film has a few glaring problems (as does the source material which claims that vampires are not destroyed by sunlight, but merely become glittery fairies when hit with direct UV rays), but overall it's watchable and not too awful. I'd say it's pretty much for teenage girls and fans of the books (who are primarily, GASP!, teenage girls). Check out my review HERE.

I have a lot more stuff in the works for the site and I plan on jamming this month with a lot of updates. I'm hoping to complete three more reviews, my December Genre Watch article, and an all new section for the Vault. Keep an eye out for all of that over the next few weeks.

Oh and there's less than three weeks left to get your Christmas shopping done, so get to it b-movie fans!

Beads N Botanicals Joins Art HooHa 2008 In Urbana, IL

Beads N Botanicals is excited to participate in this year's 6th Annual ArtHooHa.

In addition to all of our own wonderful handmade jewelry, candles, soaps, incense and oils, we are proud to feature an exhibit of photographs by local photographer, Tara Allen.

Her images include black & white and color photographs of nature, motorcycles and more. This image is her Black & White Rain Bell.

Not only will you be able to view this talented photographer's works, you can also purchase them.

We also welcome the artistry of Marlitta who works with beads, feathers, wood and antlers to create unique smudge feathers, smudge fans, feather ties, dream catchers and other nature-inspired craftwork.

The Art HooHa was created as an opportunity for people in the community to buy locally made artwork to give (or keep!) during the holidays. Come check out the studios, the artwork, and meet the artists in a relaxed atmosphere, have a cookie, browse, shop, move on to the next spot. It's easy!Art HooHa 2008 will feature art and fine crafts for show and sale by local artists who have joined to schedule open studios, home shows, and special gallery hours on the same weekend. Like last year,each artist is contributing to a fund that will go to Arts Education in Champaign-Urbana. (Each location will have a donation jar available for anyone who like to chip in as well.) The money will be donated to Champaign-Urbana Schools Foundation to be used toward an arts-related grant.

Art HooHa is an unofficial celebration of our creative community and an opportunity to support artists while you find unique gifts for your holiday list (or for yourself). We hope you enjoy our little event and its relaxed atmosphere where you can check out both the goods and the studios, nibble on some cheese, shop for presents and have fun. Bring your friends.

ArtHooHa 2008!
8 locations in Urbana
Friday Night, December 5th (6:00 - 9:00)

Saturday, December 6th (11:00 - 6:00)

Maps and more info at www.artHooHa.com

Hooey Batiks Open House
905 S Lynn Street, Urbana
• Jill Miller / Hooey Batiks - Batiked clothing, pillows, scarves
• Deborah Fell - Art quilts, hand-dyed clothing, fiber items, silk scarves and mini art pieces
• Georgia Morgan - Polymer clay jewelry
• Wild Wimmin Craft Collective - desktop and pocket shrines, assemblage art, non-traditional wreaths, jewelry and other beaded/bejeweled baubles & whimsies

Firefly Jewels Open House
712 S Maple Street, Urbana
• Athan Chilton/Firefly Jewels - Glass beads, jewelry, leatherwork
• Julie Watkins/Garnets and Glass - Beaded jewelry
• Melinda Willis - Hand carved ceramic beads, small vessels

Dragonfly Press
*Saturday only*
2108 S Vine Street, Urbana
(217) 367-8931
• Rosalind Faiman Weinberg - Painting, Drawing, Printmaking

Glasslake Studio
2908 E Main St reet, Urbana
• Barrie Bredemeier - Hand blown glass
(Glasslake Studio web site)

Griggs Street Potters
(Gallery and Studio)
305 West Griggs Street, Urbana
344-8546
• Charlene Anchor
• Betsey Cronan
• Reni Franciscono

Beads N Botanicals
Open Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
117 North Broadway Ave
(217) 365-9355

•Tara Allen's photography
• Handmade jewelry, perfume oil blends, candles, soaps, beading supplies, incense and more.
• Classes and Workshops available http://wiseweeds.blogspot.com

Butterfly Beads
1104 E Washington Street, Urbana
(217) 344-2323 (BEAD)
• Classes and Workshops available
(see Butterly Beads on Etsy)

Heartland Gallery
112 West Main Street, Urbana
(217) 337-4767
heartland-gallery@comcast.net
• Featuring art and fine crafts from the Celtic lands, traditional Indian and Latin American folk art from Kalarte Gallery and the work of over 35 local artists.
(Heartland Gallery web site)

New stuff coming soon.

Just a quick update before my girlfriend kicks me off of her computer. I have watched and taken notes on "Godmonster of Indian Flats." All I have to say is Wow...... just.... wow. I've seen some bad movies, but few are as unique as this obscurity. And the extras on the disc are just as weird as the feature film and seem really out of place. I guess Something Weird Video really likes to live up to their name.

In any case, I'll be working on a review for "Godmonster" this week, along with a capsule review for "The Ghouligans! Super Show." I've also begun work on a new section to the Vault (the WANTED ON DVD page) and I'm also in the process of getting the December edition of Genre Watch ready to go.

Well I've gotta go b-movie fans. Have a good "Cyber Monday;" lord knows it is safer to shop online than at Wal-Mart. (Especially on Black Friday.... the darkest day of horror the world has ever known.)

Blog ya later!